Record-breaking senior golfer Chris Nallen
Chris Nallen was awarded Athlete of the Week honors for his win this week at the PING Arizona Intercollegiate. The senior from Hackettstown, N.J., went wire-to-wire with rounds of 63-64-68 to notch an overall 195 and grab his second win of the year and first of the spring.
After the win, the Wildcat met up with the senior team leader to talk golf, sports and the winner of what truly would be a heavyweight fight.
Chris Nallen
Year:Senior
From:Hackettstown, N.J. (Blair Academy)
Wildcat: You shot 58 in a practice round at Arizona National for the course record. Tell a little bit about that round.
Nallen: Just a solid round. (I had) 11 birdies and an eagle with no bogeys, obviously. It was one of those rounds where everything went right and all the putts dropped and it was fun. I had a good time with it and it was cool because I played with coach (Rick LaRose), assistant coach (John Knauer), and the women's coach (Greg Allen).
Wildcat: You played with Greg? Is he any good?
Nallen: Yeah, he's all right. He's getting better.
Wildcat: Do you hold any other course records besides the one at Arizona National?
Nallen: Not that I know of besides the one at my home course back in New Jersey. I think the course record is a 66 from the back tees.
Wildcat: What's the stupidest thing you've ever done at the UA?
Nallen: I don't know.
Wildcat: You didn't jump in the fountain or anything, did you?
Nallen: No, I was actually talking to (two teammates) about that just now, how it probably would have been cool if I would have jumped in the water yesterday. But I can't think of anything really stupid. I five-putted a green once in New Mexico.
Wildcat: Talk a little bit about the Walker Cup (a biannual amateur men's golf match between the United States and Great Britain) experience.
Nallen: It was awesome. It was a great group of guys there. It's always nice to have it in your home country, but to go over there and experience the different golf and the different conditions that they play in day in and day out. ... The outcome we weren't happy with, obviously, but it was a great experience.
Wildcat: You gave your spot up in the last day of competition, correct?
Nallen: Yeah, I wasn't playing my best golf and I was going to play in the alternative shot with Ryan (Moore), but Adam (Rubinson) and Casey (Wittenberg) were playing pretty well as a team, so I thought since they were playing so good they probably had the best chance to get a point for our team.
Wildcat: Has that been the most fun golf experience you've had since starting the game?
Nallen: I think so. That was something special and something that nobody can ever take away from me.
Wildcat: Who do you model yourself after on the professional golf circuit?
Nallen: I like Tiger, obviously. He's only been out on tour for seven years but (I admire) his work ethic and I try to model myself around that. He's always stressed getting better each time at practice, and he tries to do things to get better.
Wildcat: What are your goals for the spring, besides consistency?
Nallen: I always have goals to play good in the postseason and to be consistent as a team.
Wildcat: Who do you think would win in a fight: (former UA golfer) Ricky Barnes or Tiger Woods?
Nallen: (laughs) I don't know. It seems like Ricky is bigger. They showed pictures of him at the Masters walking with Tiger and he's bigger than Tiger, but they say Tiger is pretty strong, so it would be a great fight. I think they may have to go to the judges for a decision.
Wildcat: Would you rather win the U.S. Amateur or a non-major PGA event?
Nallen: The U.S. Amateur would get you into some PGA tour events, but I think I'd rather win a PGA tour event because of the two-year exemption.
Wildcat: Name your dream foursome.
Nallen: Tiger, myself obviously, my father and Jack Nicklaus in his prime.
Wildcat: If you ever won the Masters, what would you have as your champion's dinner?
Nallen: I'm a big fan of Chinese food, so maybe some P.F. Chang's or something.
Wildcat: Heads up against Michelle Wie, how many strokes do you have to give her?
Nallen: I don't know, she's pretty good. I don't think I'd have to give her any. She's pretty good. Maybe give her one or two a side.
Wildcat: You're on the 18th green at the NCAA Championship, and you have a 15-footer for birdie to beat who?
Nallen: The Florida Gators, no doubt.
Wildcat: Who is the hottest women's golf team?
Nallen: The girls on our team. I'd say we have one of the best. The girls here are pretty good-looking.
Wildcat: OK: word association, my favorite part.
Wildcat: Janet Jackson.
Nallen: Crazy.
Wildcat: Pro-V X.
Nallen: Not for me.
Wildcat: Happy hour.
Nallen: Good times.
Wildcat: Me vs. you, $50 Nassau.
Nallen: Let's go - tee it up.